BJP has struck deal with regional parties: Omar

Former CM and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Saturday claimed that the BJP has struck a deal with some of the regional parties and Independent candidates in Kashmir.

Abdullah said Home Minister Amit Shah had talked about parties with which the BJP would not form government, but was silent on the Apni Party and the People’s Conference because they were hand in glove.

The NC vice-president also cautioned parties from striking deals with Delhi, saying that the national party’s won’t fulfil their demands. “If you need evidence for this, just look at the Home Minister’s statement in Jammu yesterday. He listed parties with which the BJP will not form government, but was silent about the Apni Party, People’s Conference and Independent candidates because they are hand in glove (with them),” he said.

Addressing an election rally in Ganderbal, the NC leader said, “I thought he would at least name Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party, but he did not.”

Abdullah is contesting the election from Ganderbal and Budgam, which will go to polls in the second phase. He reiterated his claim that people who are lodged in jail were specifically contesting against him and cited the names of AIP’s Sheikh Abdul Rashid — who defeated him in the Lok Sabha poll — and separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay (alias Barkati) who is pitted against the NC leader in the upcoming Assembly polls.

“I wonder why people in jail are after me and want to contest elections against me. What is the reason?” he asked. He had earlier suggested that Barkati, who was from Zainapora, Shopian, was contesting against him as part of “a conspiracy from Delhi”, hinting again at the Centre. Abdullah said it was not a coincidence that these jailed people were contesting against him.